Jack-a-lantern



(No Model.)

G. A. BBIDLBR.

JACK-A-LANTBRN.

No. 396,252. Patented Jan. 15. 1889.

" Harney trice..

GEORGE A. BEIDLER, OF MIDDLETOVN,PENNSYLVANIA.

JACK-A-LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,252, dated January 15, 1889.

Application iiled February 17, 1888. Serial No. 264,404. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be itknown that I, GEORGE A. BEIDLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Jack-a-Lanterns, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

AThis invention relates to certain improvements in that class of devices known as jacka-lanterns, and it has for its objects to provide a new article of manufacture of unique appearance which will form an attractive, desirable, and amusing toy for children, and supply a long-known want, and which may be used as a campaign-torch, for celebrations, torch -light processions, political meetings, and other like occasions where an effective pyrotechnic display is desirable.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a side elevation of my improved jack-a-lantern, showing a full-faced view of one of the faces thereof. Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view of a doublefaced lantern, showing the faces in profile. Fig. 3 represents a similar view of a singlefaced lantern, showing a bulls-eye applied to the side opposite the face. Fig. at represents a sectional view of a camille-support employed in connection with the lantern. Fig. 5 represents a section of the collar at the bottom of the lantern, to which the candle or lamp supporting disk is attached. Fig. 6 represents a detached view of the bail in which the lantern is swung anda portion of the staff to which it is to be attached, and Fig. 7 represents a detached upper face view of the candlestick-supporting disk.

The letter A indicates the body of the lantern, which iscoust-ructed of sheet metal, papier-mache, glass, or other material capable of being stamped up, molded, or otherwise formed into proper shape. The said body is constructed in two or more parts, suitably united by soldering, gluing, fusing, beading, or otherwise, as may prove most convenient. In the present instance the body is represented as constructed in two halves, A A, united on a vertical line, a, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3'.

from within.

In the form shown in Fig. l the parts are shaped by stamping or otherwise to represent a face, the portions representing the eyes, nostrils, and mouth being cut away, so as to form openings through which the light shows The openings for the eyes and mouth may be tted with transparent or translucent material-such as glass or enamel-to add to the general effect ot' the lantern.

In the modification shown in Fig. -3 of the drawings the lantern is formed with a face on one side, the other side being plain and provided with an opening, in which is fitted a bulls-eye, C, or other device.

At the top of the lantern is an opening, over which is secured an elevated concavo-convex or other shaped hood, D, by means of lugs c, the hood servin to exclude rain or snow, but permitting the escape of the vitiated air between the edges of the hood and thetop of the lantern.

The bottom of thel lantern is provided with a collar, E, surroumling a suitable opening, and the collar at opposite sides is provided with angular slots e, for the purpose hereinafter explained. F indicates a disk having an upturned Hang-e, f, at its edge, which lits upon the collar, and aids in holding the parts of the lamp-body together. The flange of the' disk on opposite sides is provided with lugs G, which fit into and engage the angular slots c after the .manner of a bayonet-joint or its equivalent. The disk serves as a support for a candlestick or a lamp, a candlestick being represented in connection therewith in the present instance.

Then a candlestick is employed, the disk is provided with upwardly-struck angular lugs II, which set over the lateral lugs I, so as to hold the candlestick detachably in place. The candlestick consists of atube of suitable length, having' an internal liange at its upper YedO'e and a siiral snino within which is placed below the candle, so as to keep it pressed up as it burns, and thus keep the light always in the same position, so as to thoroughly illuminate the lantern. Instead of this device, however, a plain candle-socket may be used to hold the candle.

It is evident that the faces may be of any grotesque or ornamental design, but for po- IOO litieal campaigns it is intended to have the faces represent those of the candidates of the political parties for whom the celebration is held.

The lantern is swung on a bail of spring wire or metal, as indicated by the letter M, which is bent into a shank, as indicated by the letter m, the said shank being adapted to spring into a slotted opening at the upper end of a statt or standard, N, by which the lantern maybe conveniently carried above the head. By turning or reversing the bail above and detaching the bail from the standard it is evident that the lantern may be suspended from a support or carried by hand.

Having thus described iny invent-ion, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isi l. In a jack-a-lantern or cainpaign-torch, the combination oi' the body or shell A, constructed of two halves, A A, united at their` vertical edges, one of the said halves, A', being formed into the shape of a human face and provided with openings for the passage i ot' the light through its eyes, mouth, and nostrils, and the other half, A, being provided with a central bulls-cye, C, a hood, D, supported over the upper open end of the vsaid shell A, a hanged disk, F, secured over the lower open end of the shell, this disk carrying an illuminating device, and a bail pivoted to the shell A, substantially as herein described. 2. In a campaign-torch or jack-a-lantern, the combination of the shell composed of two sections, A A, united at their vertical edges, the said sections being provided with openings for the passage oit' the light, a hood supported over the upper open end of the said shell, and a flanged disk secured over the lower opening of the said shell, this anged disk carrying an illuminating device, substantially as herein described.-

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

G. A. BEIDLER.

\Vitnesses':

CHAs. D. DAvis, H. J. ENNIs. 

